Railroad cross-over



June 4, 1935. J. B. STRONG ET AL 2,003,398

RAILROAD CROSS-OVER Filed Sept. 19, 1953 I 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS June 4, 1935. J STRONG ET AL 2,003,398

RAILROAD caoss-ovsn Filed Sept. 19, 1933 s Sheets-Shetfi PM WI" INVENTOR; James B Sing/2y. B\{/lb6l'l? 1' 1/1400:

ATTORNEY$ June 4, 1935. J. B. STRONG ET AL 2,003,398

RAILROAD CROS S -OVER Filed Sept. 19, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 James ,3. Sirorg gl bari 1' ffu/Ze r.

ATTORNEYS Patented June 4, 1935 PATENT OFFICE 2,003,398 RAILROAD CROSS-OVER James B. Strong, New York, N. Y., and Albert F. Huber, St. Louis, Mo., assignors to Ramapo Ajax Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 19, 1933, Serial No. 690,044

14 Claims.

This invention relates to a railroad cross-over connecting intersecting tracks crossing one another at an angle.

The railroad cross-over forming the subject matter of this invention is especially designed to withstand heavy impacts from loaded cars moving at a high rate of speed over the crossover. The cross-over comprises generally four corner inserts each of which may be formed as an integral casting of manganese steel. The insert is provided with intersecting flange-ways having tread surfaces on both sides of the flangeways. The corner inserts are adapted to be bolted directly to standard T-rails comprising the int-ersecting tracks. The adjacent corner inserts are joined by means of connecting rails which may also comprise standard T-rail sections. The ends of the main rails, as well as the connecting rails, are flared outwardly and fit against the tapered ends of the corner inserts. The tapered ends of the corner inserts are also preferably provided with depressed rounded tread surfaces at the point where they fit against the main rails and connecting rails. The main rails and connecting rails are secured to the corner inserts by means of bolts. The structure may be further reinforced by suitable corner stays if desired. The corner inserts and connecting rails form a smooth and continuous track connection for the intersecting main tracks. If desired, the connecting rails may be provided with tread surfaces which are fully as' wide as the standard wheel tread, providing smoother riding and greater strength to the crossing.-

The four corner inserts are identical in all respects, thus permitting full interchangeability. Only one corner insert, therefore, need be carried as a spare part since it can be located in any corner. When one set of tread surfaces of the 40 corner inserts becomes worn, the corner insert may be reversed 180 to present a fresh set of tread surfaces in position to carry the wheels. The usable life of the corner insert is thus approx'mately doubled. The connecting rails are also interchangeable and reversible so that only one or possibly two connecting rails need be carried as a spare part. The flared ends of the main rails and connecting rails are connected to the tapered ends of the corner inserts, thus providing a smooth and even passage of the wheels over the joint. The various parts present a construction which is resilient and flexible and will safelywithstand heavy wheel impacts from rolling stock moving at great speed.

An object of this invention is to provide a railroad cross-over construction which is resilient and flexible and which will safely withstand heavy wheel impacts from rolling stock moving at great speeds.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cross-over comprising reversible and interchangeable parts.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a railroad cross-over comprising few parts adapted to be assembled at the shop and easily and quickly connected to the main rails in the field.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a corner insert having double tread surfaces permitting the insert to be easily and quickly re-, versed when one tread surface becomes worn so as to present the unworn tread surface to the wheel trafiic.

Another object of this invention is to provide interchangeable connecting rails which may be formed of standard rail sections.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an interchangeable connecting rail of modified construction, said rail having a tread surface as wide or wider than the standard wheel tread providing a smooth continuation of the tread surface of the corner inserts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a railroad cross-over of relatively few interchangeable parts which are economical to manu facture, strong and durable in construction, flexible and resilient in operation, and able to withstand heavy wheel impacts of rolling stock moving thereover at high speeds.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

In order that a clearer understanding of my invention may be had, attention is hereby directed to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application and illustrating'certain possible embodiments of my invention. Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the complete cross-over construction connected to intersecting tracks;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the interchangeable and reversible corner insert;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section through the connecting rails and corner insert, this view being taken on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view through the connecting rails and filler block, this View being taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross sectional view through a portion of the filler block and a portion of the corner insert, this view being taken on line 5-5of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view through a main rail, filler block and wing rail, this view being taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. '7 is a cross sectional view through the corner insert taken on line 11 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the cross-over as it appears when taken apart for shipment;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a corner insert used at a right angle intersection;

} Fig. 10 is a plan view of a railroad cross-over having connecting rails associated therewith of modified construction;

Fig. 11 is across sectional view through the corner insert and connecting rails, this view being taken on line of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view through the connecting rails and filler block, this view being taken on line |2|2 of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 13 is an enlarged plan view of the connecting rail shown in Fig. 10.

Similar reference charactersrefer to similar parts through the several views of the drawings and specification.

There is shown in Fig. 1 a cross-over construction which connects the rails A with the rails B in line therewith and which also connects the transverse rails C with the rails D in line therewith, the whole providing a continuous track con nection between the intersecting rails. More particularly, the cross-over comprises four corner inserts I of identical form, and which therefore may be interchanged with one another. The corner insert is preferably formed as an integral casting of hard tough manganese steel which will withstand heavy impacts and loads. The corner insert, shown more particularly in Fig. 2, is provided with intersecting flange-ways 5 and 6, the flange-way 5 forming a part of the trackage A and B, and the flange-Way 6 forming a part of the trackage C and D. The flange-way 5 is provided with tread shoulders or surfaces l and 3 on both sides thereof and the flange-way 6 is also provided with tread shoulders or surfaces 2 and 4 on both sides thereof. In plan view, the corner insert simulates a four pointed star, the tread surfaces 2, 3 and 4 terminating in tapered end portions I, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The main rails A, B, G and D are provided with flared ends 46 which flare outwardly and seat against the adjacent tapered ends '2 of the corner inserts. The adjacent corner inserts are joined by means of outer and inner connecting rails 20 and 2t, rails 20 being running rails and rails 2i being guard rails. The connecting rails 20 and 2| may comprise standard T-raif sections and are preferably provided with outwardly flared or winged portions 22 at each end thereof. The flared portions 22 of the connecting rails 20 and 2E snugly fit against the tapered end portions 'l of the corner inserts. The connecting rails 20 and 2| are identical in form and are interchangeable with one another. To provide a smooth connection between the main rails, corner inserts and connecting rails, the tapered end portions 7 are preferably provided with depressed rounded tread surfaces 9 which fit against the adjacent main rail or connecting rail, as the case may be.

The connecting rails 20 and 2| are maintained in fixed spaced position by means of a filler block l9 which snugly fits therebetween, as shown in Fig. 4, and abuts against the ends of adjacent insert pieces, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. Each of the filler blocks I9 is provided with a flangeway 23 which forms a continuation of the flangeway 5 or 6 of the corner inserts. By referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that eight connecting rails 20 and 2| are used to complete a railroad cross-over, all of which rails are interchangeable with one another, It is also seen that four filler blocks H! are used, these blocks also being interchangeable with one another.

Wing rails 4| associated with the main rails A, B, C and D are provided, each wing rail having an outwardly flared end portion 43 which fits and seats against the adjacent tapered end portion I of the corner insert. A filler block 40 seats between the main rail and the winged end portion 42 of the wing rail 4|, as shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 6. The filler block 40 is provided with a flange-way 41 and forms a continuation of the flange-way 5 or 6 of the corner inserts as the case may be. It will be seen by referring to Fig. 1 that eight filler blocks 40 of identical form are used. They are interchangeable with one another.,

To further strengthen the construction reinforcing stays 24 and 25 are provided, as shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 8. Reinforcing stays 24 are adapted to interchangeably fit the acute angles of rail intersections, and the reinforcing stays 25 are adapted to fit the obtuse angles of the rail intersections. Referring to Figs. 1 and 8, it is seen that eight acute angle reinforcing stays 24 and eight obtuse angle reinforcing stays 25 are used to complete the crossover. The reinforcing stays 24 and 25 are shaped to fit the web portion of the standard T-rail in the manner shown more particularly in Figs. 3 and 4. 7

As shown in'Figs. 1 and 3, the corner insert I, connecting rails 20 and 2|, and reinforcing stays 24 and 25 are securely joined together by means of heavy through bolts 26. The bolts 26 are preferably provided with lock nuts 2'! which engage a lock washer 28. A washer 29 may also be provided at the head end of the bolt which washer holds the bolt against rotation. Any desired number of bolts 26 may be used to obtain a strong and durable connection between the parts.

The filler block l9, connecting rails 20 and 2| and the reinforcing stays 24 and 25 are secured together by means of the through bolts 30 having locking nuts 3| engaging the locking washers 32, Washers 33 may be'provided at the head end of the bolt preventing rotation thereof. The filler blocks 40 are connected to the main rails and the wing rails 4| by means of through bolts 44 having locking nuts 45, as'shown in Figs. 1 and 6. Any number of bolts may be used to connect the main rails, corner inserts I, wing rails 4|, connecting rails 20 and 2| and reinforcng stays 24 and 25 so as to insure a strong and durable, yet flexible and resilient connection between the parts.

The corner insert I may comprise an integral casting and may be provided with various reinforcing webs to give it the desired strength. There is shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 7 for purposes of illustration only, an insert .piece having an outer reinforcing web l0 extending around the Outer periphery of the insert piece, and an inner reinforcing web giving strength and reinforcement to the central portion of the insert piece. It is understood that the insert piece herein disclosed is not limited to this particular arrangement of reinforcing webs but numerous arrangements of reinforcement webs may be used within the purview of this invention to give the insert the desired strength. The outer reinforcing web It and the inner reinforcing web I I are adapted to rest on the rail itself or other supporting track surface. Where the necessary strength does not require a solid casting, ribs 12 having bolt receiving apertures l3 therein may be provided to receive the connecting bolts 26. Similarly, a rib or bellied portion l4 may be provided which extends along the fiangeways 5 and 6 providing additional strength and reinforcement along the load receiving portions of the insert.

- The filler block l9 may also be formed as a casting suitably ribbed to give the necessary strength, Openings 34 extend therethrough to receive the connecting bolts 30, as shown in Fig. 5.

There is shown in Figs. 10 to 13, inclusive, crossover construction having an interchangeable connecting rail 50 of modified design. The connecting rail 50, as shown more particularly in Figs.

11, 12 and 13, is provided with a tread surface having a width equal to the standard wheel tread and wider than the running surface of the standard T-rail. Smoother riding and greater strength to the crossing is thus effected without interfering with the interchangeability of the parts. The connecting rail 50 may be formed as a casting comprising double web portions 5| and 52 connected by suitable cross webs 56, as shown more particularly in Figs. 12 and 13. Web portion 5| is provided with a foot or flange 54, and web portion 52 is provided with a foot or flange 53. of

considerable area providing a firm and strong support. The connecting rail 50 is secured to the corner inserts I, the standard T-section connecting rail 2| and the reinforcing stays 24 and 25 by means of the through bolts 26 above described. The through bolts 26 preferably extend I through openings provided in the cross webs 56 of the connecting rails 50, as shown more particularly in Fig. 13. The connecting rails 50 are.

provided with tapered end portions 55 which snugly fit and seat against the tapered end por-' tions 1 of the corner insert I. It will be noted that four connecting rails 50, identical in form, are used to complete the cross-over. The connecting rails 50 are interchangeable with one another. This type of construction provides an unusually smooth connection between the main rails which insures smooth rolling of the wheels thereover and great strength to the cross-over. Connecting rails 2| may comprise standard rail sections as above described.

There is shown in Fig. 9 a corner insert Ia used at a right angled track intersection. The comer insert Ia, shown in Fig. 9, in all respects is similar to the corner insert I shown in Fig. 2, except that it assumes a shape conforming to the angle of intersection between the tracks. It is understood that corner inserts may be provided to accommodate tracks intersecting at any angle. Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the various parts comprising the complete cross-over construction as they are assembled at the plant for shipment to the field. It will be noted that thevarious parts comprising the cross-over can thus be mainly assembled together at the plant, reducing the assembly work in the field to a minimum. The various parts when assembled together provide a cross-over construction which is unusually flexible and resilient and for this reason will withstand heavy wheel impacts from rolling stock traveling at high speeds The cross-over comprises only a few parts all of which can be economically manufactured and are variously interchangeable so as to require a minimum of spare the tread surfaces l of the insert I, shown in the I left hand side of Fig. 1, become worn due to the heavy traflic passing over the tracks A and B, it,

is possible to disconnect the comer insert and turn the same 180 so as to present the unwom tread surfaces 3 to the traffic. By the same operation the unworn tread surfaces 4 would be substituted for the worn tread surfaces 2 exposed to the traffic on tracks C and D. It will also be noted that all four ,of the corner inserts I comprising the crossing are identical in form permitting them to be interchanged one with the other and requiring only one spare corner insert for each crossing to be carried in stock. The connecting rails 20 and 2 I, shown in Fig. l, are interchangeable with each other. Should the connecting rail 2!) become worn due to the traflic along the tracks A and B, it may be interchanged with the 'unworn connecting rail 2| not exposed to the traffic. The connecting rails 20, as well as the connecting rails 21, may also be interchanged from the track system,A and B to the track system C and D, or. vice versa. Four filler blocks l 9 identical in form are used. Eight filler blocks 40 identical in form are used. Four pairs of interchangeable wing rails 4| identical in form are used. Four pairs of interchangeable main rails, A, B, C, D identical in form, are used. Eight acute angled reinforcing stays 24 are used, and eight obtuse angled reinforcing stays 25 are used. It is thus seen that the entire cross-over can be assembled from only ten different parts, excepting the securing bolts. A minimum number of spare parts, therefore, can thus be carried in stock. Where a full bearing tread surface con necting rail 50, as shown in Fig. '10, is used in the assembly, the spare parts required are increased to thirteen. The cross-over construction above described insures a maximum of safety to lives and property carried thereover. The construction presents unusual strength and is flexible and resilient to traffic requirements. The

cross over furthermore comprises only a few parts which parts are so arranged as to insure a maximum of safety. -Repairs to the crossing, when necessary, can be made quickly and expeditiously.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from'the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a rail intersection, a corner insert having a pointed extension, a fiangeway passing through said extension and the point thereof, said pointed extension having a depressed point on a tread side of said flangeway, and a connecting running rail secured to said extension against said depressed point.

2. In a rail intersection, a corner insert having a pointed extension, a flangeway passing through the center of said extension and the point thereof, said pointed extension having depressed points on opposite sides of said flangeway, and connecting rails secured to opposite sides of said extension.

3. In a railroad crossing, four corner inserts,

each insert having four pointed extensions and' intersecting fiangeways passing through the centers of the points of said pointed-extensions, four pairs of connecting rails connected to the opposite outer sides of adjacent extensions of two corner inserts, each pair of connecting rails comprising a standard guard rail and a special wide tread running rail, whereby a continuous track connection is formed for the intersecting tracks.

4. In a railroad crossing, four corner inserts, each insert having four pointed extensions and intersecting flangeways passing through the centers of the points of said pointed extensions, four pairs of standard rails, each pair comprising a running rail and'a guard rail, each pair being connected to the opposite outer sides of adjacent extensions of two corner inserts, whereby a continuous track connection is formed for the intersecting tracks.

5. In a railroad crossing, four corner inserts, each insert having four pointed extensions, each insert having intersecting fiangeways passing through the centers of the points of said extensions, four pairs of connecting rails, each pair comprising a running rail and a guard rail, each pair being connected to the opposite outer sides of adjacent extensions of two corner inserts, and corner stays connecting adjacent connecting rails.

6. Ina railroad crossing, four identical corner inserts, each corner insert having four pointed extensions and having intersecting flangeways passing through the centers of the points of said extensions, four identical sets of connecting rails, each set being disposed on opposite outer sides of the extensions to which it is connected, four identical pairs of right and left hand wing rails connected to those projections which extend away from the crossing, the track running rails being connected on the opposite sides of said extensions from said wing rails, sixteen straps connecting adjacent'rails and fitting in the comers of said inserts.

7. In an oblique angle railroad crossing, four identical corner inserts, each comer insert having four pointed extensions and having intersecting fiangeways passing through the centers of the points of said extensions, four sets of identical connecting rails, each set being disposed on opposite outer sides of the extensions to which it is connected, four identical pairs of right and left hand wing rails connected to those projections which extend away from the crossing, track running rails being connected on the opposite sides of said extensions from said wing rails, eight identical straps connecting adjacent rails and fitting in the obtuse corners. of said inserts, and eight additional identical straps connecting adjacent rails and fitting in the acute comers of said inserts.

8. In a rail intersection, a corner insert having four pointed extensions and intersecting flangeways passing through the centers of the points of said extensions and forming tread surfaces on both sides of said fiangeways, each pointed extension having recessed seats on opposite outer sides thereof, said seats coverging outwardlyand being symmetrically disposed with respect to said fiangeway, sets of rails, eachset comprising a running rail and a guard rail for' connection to adjacent like inserts, all of said connecting rails being alike, further sets of rails connected to the other extensions, each further set comprising a running rail and a wing rail, all of said tween said extensions and connecting the adjoining rails, and sets of bolts, one set for each extension, each setof bolts passing through the straps, rails and extension, with the extension between the rails and the straps outside the rails.

9. In a rail intersection, a comer insert having four pointed extensions and intersecting flangeways passing through the centers of the points of said extensions and forming tread surfaces on both sides of said fiangeways, each pointed extension having recessed seats on opposite outer sides thereof, said seats converging outwardly and being symmetrically disposed with respect to said fiangeway, sets of ra-ils, each set comprising a T- running rail and a T-guard rail for connection to adjacent like inserts, all of said connecting rails being alike, further sets of rails connected to the other extensions, each further set comprising a T-running rail and a T-wing rail, all of said rails having angular ofiset ends seating in said recessed seats, straps disposed in the spaces between said extensions and connecting the adjoining rails, and sets of bolts, one set for each extension, each set of bolts passing through the straps, rails and, extension, with the extension between the rails and the straps outside the rails.

10. In a rail intersection, a corner insert having four pointed extensions and intersecting flangeways passing through the centers of the points of said extensions and forming tread surfaces on both sides of said flangeways, each pointed extension having recessed seats on opposite sides thereof, said seats converging outwardly and being symmetrically disposed with respect to said fiangeway, sets of rails, each set comprising a wide tread running rail and a guard rail for connection to adjacent like inserts, said running rail having a straight outer edge extending from end to end and oblique inner ends seated in said recessed seats, further sets of rails connected to the other extensions, each further set comprising a running rail and a wing rail, straps disposed in the spaces between said extensions and connecting the adjoining rails, and sets of bolts, one set for each extension, each set of bolts passing through the straps, rails and extension, with the extension between the rails and the straps outside the rails.'

11. In an oblique rail intersection, a corner insert having four pointed extensions and oblique intersecting flangeways passing through the centers of the points of said extensions and forming tread surfaces on both sides of each of said fiangeways, each pointed extension having recessed seats on opposite outer sides thereof, said seats converging outwardly and being symmetrically disposed with respect to said fiangeway, sets of connecting rails, each set comprising a running rail and a guard rail for connection to adjacent like inserts, all of said connecting rails being alike, further sets of rails connected to the other extensions,'each further set comprising a running rail and a wing rail, allof said rails having oblique end surfaces seating in said recessed seats, a first set of like straps, each strap being disposed in the acuteangle between adjoining extensions and connecting the adjoining rails, a second set of like straps, each disposed in the obtuse angle between adjoining extensions and connecting the adjoining rails, and sets of bolts, one set for each extension, each set of bolts passing through the straps, rails and extension with the extension between the rails and the straps outside the rails.

12. In a rail intersection, an insert comprising a central body having four extensions and intersecting fiangeways passing through the centers of said extensions, each of said extensions having recessed seats on the opposite outer sides thereof, each seat having an oblique rail-engaging surface and an end rail-engaging surface, the oblique surfaces of each pair of seats converging outwardly, each pair of said seats being symmetrical with respect to the flangeway therebetween, said end surfaces being spaced from the other intersecting fiangeway, all of said seats being identical, and sets of rails, the rails of each set having end and side surfaces fitting the rail-engaging surfaces of a pair of seats.

13. In a rail intersection, spaced inserts, each insert comprising a central body having an extension and intersecting flangeways, one of which passes through the center of its extension, said extensions having recessed seats on the opposite outer sides thereof, each seat having an oblique rail-engaging surface and an end rail-engaging surface, the oblique surfaces converging outwardly, a wide tread connecting rail seated in corresponding seats of said inserts, the outer edge of said connecting rail being straight throughout its length, the inner edge of said connecting railhaving beveled ends engaging said oblique railengaging surfaces, a guard rail seated in the opposite seats, and sets of bolts, each set of bolts connecting said connecting rails and an extension surfaces converging outwardly, said seats being symmetrical with respect to the flangeway therebetween, a wide tread connecting rail having a straight outer edge and an inner edge with a beveled end, said rail seating in one of said seats, 20

and a guard rail seating in the other seat.

JAMES B. STRONG. ALBERT F. 

